While everyone knows that old rare coins, classic cars, and paintings have high resell value, a few remain unaware that sometimes simple stuff like Pokémon cards can earn you a fortune, too. The collectibles market can turn ordinary items into extraordinary investments, possibly earning you a few bucks from a forgotten treasure. Here are ten things that might be gathering dust in your home but are worth selling.
Luxurious Handbags
Designer handbags have skyrocketed in value in recent years, with specific limited editions and vintage pieces procuring tens of thousands at auction. For example, pristine vintage Chanel 2.55 can sell for over $10,000. A rare Hermès Birkin made in exotic leather or unique colors can earn you a resale value upwards of $100,000.
Pokémon Cards
Remember the excitement of unwrapping a pack of Pokémon cards, hoping to find a rare Charizard? Those same cards are now a collector’s dream (but the card’s state and grade matter). First editions, holographic prints, and cards from early sets are precious. For instance, a first-edition Charizard card in mint condition can sell for over $200,000. In contrast, other rare cards like the Pikachu Illustrator, awarded in a unique contest, can reach prices above $500,000.
Funko Pop Figures
In recent years, Funko Pop figures have become a significant collectible, with certain figures reselling for impressive prices. Limited editions, exclusive releases, and figures from popular franchises often attract collectors willing to pay a premium. If you find a well-kept “Glow in the Dark” Hikari Naruto figure, it can sell for several hundred dollars, and when you unearth rare exclusives like the “Freddy Funko as Count Chocula,” it can command prices over $10,000.
Vintage Vinyl Records
Most of us use music streaming services to listen to our favorite artists. However, audiophiles still prefer vinyl records, and collectors are ready to pay thousands for rare, good-state, classic albums. First pressings, limited editions, and records by iconic artists can be incredibly valuable. For instance, a first pressing of Elvis Presley’s ‘My Happiness’ albums with a low serial number can fetch thousands of dollars if it’s in prime, sealed packaging.
Lego Sets
If you still have older Lego sets in their original packaging and in mint conditon, they might be worth more than expected. You will have stuck gold with those that are discontinued or from special editions. An example is the “Millennium Falcon” set from the Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, which can fetch prices upwards of $5,000 in mint condition. Similarly, sets like the “Café Corner” have become valuable over time, often selling for thousands of dollars.
Vintage Comic Books
Comic books have long been a favorite among collectors. The editions that feature the first appearances or significant events in the character’s history are the most cherished. If you think this a hoax, the copy of “Action Comics #1,” which featured Superman’s debut, sold for over $3.25 million at a 2021 auction. In high-grade states, comics from the Golden and Silver Ages like “The Incredible Hulk #1,” introducing the Hulk, and “Amazing Fantasy #15,” featuring Spider-Man’s debut, can fetch over $100,000 easily.
BE@RBRICKs
BE@RBRICKs are quirky bear-shaped figurines that have become a cultural phenomenon lately. Designed by Japanese toymaker Medicom Toy, these toys hold an iconic status within pop culture, even appearing in Drake’s Tootsie Slide music video. BE@RBRICKS can cost anywhere between $200-650 retail, and scarce limited edition designs such as the Chanel BE@RBICK designed by Kark Lagerfeld can fetch upwards of $30,000 in online auctions.
Celebrity Autographs
Celebrity autographs or signed memorabilia, such as caps or trading cards from iconic figures who are no longer alive, can fetch large amounts based on the artist’s popularity. Collectors and fans constantly seek out these unique pieces of history for their sentimental and investment value. In one such instance, as reported by Bleacher Report, a 1933 Goudey#149 with Babe Ruth’s autograph sold at an auction for $761,100.
Graffiti Art
Street art has entered galleries and auction houses, with pieces by renowned graffiti artists becoming highly valuable. Take Banksy, for example. His iconic “Girl with Balloon,” originally spray-painted on a London wall, grabbed headlines when it sold for $1.4 million at Sotheby’s. And then, in true Banksy fashion, it shredded itself right after the auction, then was later re-framed and sold as “Love is in the Bin.”
Birth Year Watches
The popularity of birth-year watches is growing, and they don’t have to come from prestigious brands like Rolex to be valuable (however, this helps). Condition, brand, model, market trends, and serial number play crucial roles in determining the value of a birth-year watch. Several discontinued, rare models, such as the 2000 Franck Muller Master Banker, sell for upwards of $6,900.
